Identifying early markers for Autism Spectrum Disorder

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Face Scanning and Social Interaction in Typical and Atypical Development: Evidence from a Gaze-Contigent Eye-Tracking Paradigm and a Conversation Analysis Study

  • IRAS ID

    239237

  • Contact name

    JR Keemink

  • Contact email

    jrk26@kent.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    University of Kent

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    2 years, 6 months, 13 days

  • Research summary

    Infants at high risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder and controls (6- to 12-month-olds) will be tested in a gaze-contingent eye-tracking paradigm. They will be presented with still frames of faces on a computer screen, which they can animate with their eye movements. Fixating the eye area of the face will lead to face animation. Animated faces show one of the six basic emotional expressions (happiness, sadness, anger, surprise, fear and disgust). Infants' behavioural responses to the faces will be video recorded. In addition, after the eye-tracking study, infant and caregiver will be video recorded during a short period of natural interaction.

  • REC name

    London - Surrey Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    18/LO/0658

  • Date of REC Opinion

    29 May 2018

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion